Independence Day Report -
Swaarajya (Rule of the Self) 15th August 2005

Swaarajya (Rule of the Self)
15th August 2005

Patriotic fervour was seen at its best when the students of
Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning enacted a drama
titled Swaarajya, which conveyed the theme that Bharat would
attain its true independence (Swaraajya) only when people
eschewed the six evil qualities, which had actually
imprisoned them and damaged the moral fabric of Bharat.

The backdrop of the drama depicted the map of India bound by
iron manacles, unable to escape from the clutches of the
British rule. But at the end of the drama the iron chains
are snapped, which meant that people have really attained
Swaarajya under Bhagawan's loving guidance, having won over
the evil qualities of Kama (desire), Krodha (anger), Lobha
(greed), Mada (pride), Moha (delusion) and Matsarya
(jealousy). The drama was divided into different scenes. The
first part consisted of scenes portraying the
pre-independence era and the second, the post-independence
era.

The drama began with a dance sequence. Then an old man
appears on the scene and talks highly of the glorious past
of Bharat addressing Bharat Matha (Mother India), and
decrying the present state of affairs.

In the next scene, the audience is transported to the
pre-independence time. Portrayal of Alluri Sitaramaraju, the
freedom fighter from Andhra Pradesh takes the centre stage.
He had the support of local tribals and opposed the British
rule with all his might. He was killed in the struggle, but
not before he proclaimed that every drop of his blood would
give rise to many more such Alluri Sitaramarajus to fight
for the country's freedom.

Another scene depicts illustrious freedom fighters like
Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Mohammad Ali Jinnah
and Sardar Vallabhai Patel. They discuss as to how to fight
the British and achieve freedom. An armed struggle by the
Bharatiyas would be no match to the British might. Mahatma
Gandhi says an eye for an eye would only make the world
blind. So, they decide to wage a non-violent struggle
through the policy of non-violence. They decide to boycott
all that was run by the British - to stop working for
British administration and their factories.

In Bihar, at a place called Chowri Chowra, 22 British
policemen are gruesomely killed by the armed extremists.
This upset Gandhiji and made him rethink on the policy of
non-cooperation. He even felt repentant since he was
spearheading the freedom movement. But others did not
subscribe to his view. Then Gandhiji resorts to continuous
fasting, which made everybody relent and accept his
viewpoint.

Even the physically challenged wanted to participate in the
freedom struggle. A blind boy was repeatedly asking his
father about his wish to participate in the freedom
movement. His father was trying to make him understand his
physical condition. But the boy was resolved in his stand.

A father with his son goes to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and
offers his eldest son's earnings. He is even prepared to
sell his lands for the cause of freedom struggle. But Netaji
is unmoved and wants his son to participate in the freedom
struggle. Thus illustrates the saying, "Men are more
valuable than all the wealth of the world."

The next scene shows Bhagat Singh, Jatinda and a few others
in jail fasting unto death to express their solidarity
against the British rule. When one of them asks for a glass
of water, he is offered a pot of milk and accepting it would
amount to breaking the fast. All of them are in the throes
of thirst. So, in that condition, the prisoner is driven to
accept the milk, but the others vehemently dissuade him.
They went without food and water for a number of days, and
finally Jatinda dies of starvation. All these incidents
showed the valiant sacrifices made by the freedom fighters.

The next scene shows India achieving freedom after all the
struggle. This is symbolically represented by the Indian
Tricolour fluttering in the background. The famous speech of
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru's Tryst with Destiny is played in
the background.

The cameraman and director who had successfully filmed the
pre-independence period and won a lot of accolades for their
commendable effort are asked to film the post-independence
period too. Now the scene shifts to the post-independence
period. The cameraman and the director are inspired to
capture the moments of the post-independence era - the
achievements of Bharat after 58 years of independence. It is
for this purpose that they visit a village in Rampur, Uttar
Pradesh.

A farmer in the village takes them round the village. They
see the acute drought conditions prevailing in the place.
But still he offers his hospitality and feeds the guests. At
this time, the son of the farmer comes to him asking for
food. But the farmer sends him to his mother. The boy
sheepishly reveals that there is no food with his mother.
The cameraman and director are moved by the pathetical
condition of the farmer and his large-heartedness in feeding
the guests in spite of his poverty. It is at this moment
that the old man makes his reappearance. His character is
revealed to the audience as the spirit of Bharat. He says
that there is rampant corruption, rank materialism and
religious fanaticism in Bharat. Only when people give up the
six evil qualities, can Bharat achieve Swaarajya. Bhagawan
Sri Sathya Sai Baba has come to show mankind the path and
lead man to his goal. At the end, National Anthem was sung
by all the participants. The audience too rose and sung in
unison the National Anthem of Bharat.

Thus came to a close a fine portrayal of the Independence
struggle of Bharat. Histrionic skills of the students came
to the fore in this drama. In all departments of stage
acting, the drama was a tremendous success.

All the participants converged to offer their obeisance to
Bhagawan. Swami graciously posed for group photographs. The
participants neatly arranged themselves in small groups for
the coveted occasion. The programme came to a close with
Arati to Bhagawan.